The weather is warming up and so are the players of the best sport in the world. No, it's not football. Baseball is returning. The college season has begun and Texas Tech baseball has started off strong with their high-scoring offense. Many first pitches have already been thrown in Florida and Arizona for Major League Baseball Spring Training. Even the World Baseball Classic's first pitch is in March, the World Cup of baseball, it happens every four years on odd years and showcases the best baseball teams representing different countries from all around the world.
The Dominican Republic is hoping to repeat their 2013 World Baseball Classic championship win but the United States is stacked this year, while Japan is always good and Puerto Rico always competes. Mexico and Venezuela will be looking to do sneak in there as well.
In college, Texas Tech's best sport is baseball. Making the College World Series twice in three years is huge and Tim Tadlock is looking to get us there again. We have a really good chance to do it. With the heartbreak that is Texas Tech football and basketball, we welcome baseball season with open arms.
Then there's Major League Baseball. 2016 was a magical season for the Chicago Cubs. The Cubbies aren't done, they return much of the same talent that won them their first World Series in 108 years and they are looking to repeat. The Cleveland Indians should be even better this year with the addition of hard-hitter Edwin Encarnacion. Could we see a World Series rematch? I wouldn't mind since last years World Series Game 7 was one of the best games in the history of baseball. However, there are other teams looking to bring home some hardware. The Texas Rangers will be decent again, the Boston Red Sox are stacked, and the Houston Astros (Go Stros) added some veterans to balance their young talent. The New York Mets and Washington Nationals are still talented, the St. Louis Cardinals are tired of their rival Cubs and the Los Angeles Dodgers, with the highest payroll in baseball, expect to win. The Toronto Blue Jays are still, unfortunately, really good. Other teams like the Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners with mostly disappointing seasons are also looking to shine this year. Then there's the Kansas City Royals looking to re-live their 2015 magic, never count out the Royals.
Finally, spring is arriving and baseball is back. You can catch me at Dan Law field watching plenty of Texas Tech baseball or by a TV for MLB Opening Day in April. Go Stros!
